Kitty Galore and Sean O'Keeffe pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Kitty Galore ran out a comfortable winner of the Clonmel Oil Chase Day November 11th Chase, making all under Sean O'Keeffe.
A winner on her debut over fences at Sligo last month, the John Ryan trained seven-year-old disappointingly pulled up on her most recent start at Cork.
Sent off a 12/1 chance this afternoon, the Aizavoski bay raced in a clear lead for much of the contest. Her advantage was eroded on the entrance to the straight, but she kicked on again from the second last, going on to register a nine-length win. Make My Heart Fly (7/2) kept on to take second under Jack Kennedy for Gordon Elliott, while Sapphire Lady (15/8) was another half-a-length back in third. Humm Baby who was sent off the well-backed 7/4f (13/2 early), finished a disappointing last of the six.
"She is a good mare with a great pedigree and is from the family of Denman. She is by a really good sire in Aizavoski and any few we got were good," Ryan said.
"I threw her in at the deep end in a big handicap the last day but she learned a lot from it and jumped a lot better today.
"She is some jumper and was getting three or four lengths at every fence and was jumping them ragged. Presenting Bonnie (fourth) ran a cracker too and I was delighted with her.
"I think she (Kitty Galore) is just very good and is better than we give her credit for. You'll be hearing lots more of this mare.
"She will come back here for a Listed mares' chase in two weeks."
STEWARDS REPORTS
M.M. McDonagh, rider of Humm Baby trained by Michael Hourigan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount burst a blood vessel. This was confirmed by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who reported Humm Baby had blood at both nostrils post race.
The Stewards requested a report from John Patrick Ryan, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Kitty Galore, placed first, as compared with its most recent run at Cork on the 17th of October 2021 where she pulled up. Mr. John Ryan stated that the good ground on that occasion combined with a fast run race gave his charge a fright early on and she didn't perform thereafter. He added that the softer surface today allowed Kitty Galore to control the race from the front and this in his opinion brought about the apparent improvement in form. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanations offered.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
